BINTULU: Six overtaking lanes costing an estimated RM216 million have been proposed along the Bintulu-Bakun road to improve traffic flow and road safety on the heavily used federal route.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the proposal would provide safer opportunities for motorists to overtake slower heavy vehicles travelling along the road.
He said widening the entire route had initially been considered, but the significantly higher cost prompted the ministry to look at overtaking lanes as an initial measure.
“At the very least, we will start by constructing the overtaking lanes first.
“We hope the allocation will be provided when the budget is tabled,” he said during a site visit to Federal Route FT803 (Bintulu-Bakun Road) here today (Sept 22).
The six proposed locations are around KM16, KM39, KM49, KM75, KM106 and KM109, spanning about 12 kilometres in total.
The proposal has been submitted for consideration under Rolling Plan 2 of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
Apart from side-by-side passing lanes, the proposed RM216 million project includes related structural upgrading works and street lighting.
Nanta said the overtaking lanes would allow slower heavy vehicles to keep left at designated stretches, giving other motorists room to pass and continue their journey.
He acknowledged that heavy vehicles contributed to wear and tear along the road, but said preventing them from using the route was not a practical solution.
“We cannot prohibit heavy vehicles from using this road because it supports economic activities.
“There are many oil palm plantations and logging activities here, and there is no other road.
“That is why we need to change the narrative. We should no longer simply say that heavy vehicles should not use this road,” he added.
According to the ministry’s statement, the need for overtaking lanes also takes into account the hilly and winding sections of the route, limited visibility at certain locations and slower-moving heavy vehicles.
It added that FT803 is a key route serving more than 30 longhouses and villages and provides access from Bintulu and Sebauh towards Sungai Asap, Belaga and the Bakun and Murum hydroelectric plants.
